https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/10/media/disney-plus-streaming-prices-reliable-sources/index.html CNN — It’s the end of an era. The disruptive streaming model birthed by Netflix that dangled all-you-can-eat menus of films, shows, and endless entertainment without pesky advertisements for extraordinarily low prices came to an official close on Wednesday. Disney boss Bob Iger announced during the company’s quarterly earnings report that the Magic Kingdom will once again hike Disney+ prices for the second time in less than a year, increasing the monthly cost of its ad-free plan $3 to $13.99 in October. Hulu, which Disney owns a majority stake in, will also increase the monthly cost of its ad-free subscription $3 to $17.99. Disney and Hulu are raising prices. Apple TV, Netflix, Paramount, and Peacock have all increased prices. There isn't more value for the viewers, either. What started as a watch everything on Netflix for $9.99 became a half dozen services all priced at $10-15. It has reached price parity with cable, but cable remains awful. We had cord cutters, but what will we call people who abandon streaming services? And how long before we start seeing editorials blaming the death of streaming on Gen Z? I for one do not want a future of 15 second shorts being the primary medium of communication and entertainment.
There has to be an alternative found before that happens. Cable is irrelevant because Streaming is better. Doesn't matter if prices go up if there isn't something else to turn to. That doesn't exist at the moment.
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Dude, nice This guy gets it, as for the rest of you, buy a damn Firestick, pick one or two streaming services you like, and coordinate with close family/friends to share. Cable used to cost 100-150 bucks a month, streaming is still way cheaper.
The days of sharing passes might be over but with the writers strike, good content for the next year could be worth a two month free trial
Netflix Paramount+/Showtime Prime (part of Prime membership) Max (Free) Hulu/Disney/ESPN Peacock I pay around $63 for all those (Max is free with Cell plan and of course Prime membership). Still much cheaper than cable. I play $100 for 1.2GB internet Comast with UNLIMITED data.
Yeah, I used to pay something like $200 or so for SLOW cable and somewhat basic cable tv services with AT&T's con of a "bundle" where you can't switch either one away from AT&T to something else without incurring a price gouge. I want to keep my Internet and "cable" service separate, so I can flip either when necessary without the "oh, that was a bundle, so we'll have to raise your rates" b.s. Now I'm paying $75 or so for YouTube TV where I still have more than I need (wish I could get rid of some of the channels and save) and another $75 or so for much faster Internet than I had before - and this is 3 or so years later, I think.
Torrents are also free. You a sports guy? You can literally watch any game imaginable with illegal streaming links.
Quality isn't there though for sports and with the NFL season around the corner I'm gonna just have to pony up for it.
Does that surprise anyone? Years ago I remember telling my cord cutting zealot friend it was all going to end up costing the same in the end. It will. The consumer rarely wins.
I don't have the energy and don't watch much, but many of my friends just rotate through 2 services at a time, catching up on the best shows on those platforms, then cancelling, and spending a month or two at introductory rates on another couple of platforms. They have whole schedules laid out for a year.
